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Writing Skills - Reports

The document provides tips and guidelines for writing effective reports. It discusses key characteristics of reports such as clear layout, differentiated paragraphs with headings, clear introductions and conclusions, objective and formal language. It emphasizes using paragraph headings to plan a report's structure and logical flow. Linking words and expressions can also clarify a report's structure by showing connections between ideas. The document explains differences between sentence structures that use temporal and logical connecting words. It advises presenting ideas clearly and concisely by avoiding unnecessary words and combining related points.

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50 views3 pages

Writing Skills - Reports

The document provides tips and guidelines for writing effective reports. It discusses key characteristics of reports such as clear layout, differentiated paragraphs with headings, clear introductions and conclusions, objective and formal language. It emphasizes using paragraph headings to plan a report's structure and logical flow. Linking words and expressions can also clarify a report's structure by showing connections between ideas. The document explains differences between sentence structures that use temporal and logical connecting words. It advises presenting ideas clearly and concisely by avoiding unnecessary words and combining related points.

Uploaded by

francisco
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Writing skills

Reports
1 What characterises the report as a type of writing? Work with a partner and list as many characteristics
as you can think of. Then compare your ideas with those of other students in the class. Add any other
ideas to your list.

2 Compare the characteristics you noted in activity 2 with those in the list below.

— clear layout

— clearly differentiated paragraphs, often with headings

— clear introduction giving the basic facts

— neutral or formal language — vocabulary and structures

— content is usually presented objectively although it may then lead to a more personal conclusion

Paragraphs and headings

STUDY TIP

Always use paragraph headings to plan a report that you are writing. In some cases, you may decide to
include your headings in your report; in other cases, they may simply remind you of the points you need to
include. Before you begin writing, make sure that the headings are in the most logical order. As you write,
make sure that everything that you include is in the most appropriate paragraph.

Linking words and expressions

STUDY TIP

Just as headings can clarify the structure of a piece of writing, so do linking words and expressions like for
instance, firstly, besides, furthermore and as a consequence. It is, however, easy to overuse connecting
words — or to use them wrongly. Practise using them accurately and appropriately and your work will be
clearer to follow.

3 Explain the difference between these pairs or groups of sentences.

1- a) Firstly, I was impressed by the quality of the service provided.

b) At first I was impressed by the quality of the service provided.

2- a) Lastly, it has a swimming pool and other sports facilities.

b) At last, it has a swimming pool and other sports facilities.

c) At least it has a swimming pool and other sports facilities.


3- a) From the supplier's point of view, the location is inconvenient.

b) In the supplier's opinion, the location is inconvenient.

4- a) On the other hand, its spaciousness is very attractive.

b) On the contrary, its spaciousness is very attractive.

5- a) Moreover, it is within easy reach of the capital.

b) However, it is within easy reach of the capital.

c) Therefore, it is within easy reach of the capital.

6- a) As far as we are concerned, the hotel would satisfy our requirements.

b) What concerns us is whether the hotel would satisfy our requirements.

Presenting your ideas effectively

4 Look at each of the pairs of texts below and decide which presents its ideas more effectively. Why?

1- a) The project was a great success. All the participants enjoyed it. It supplied some income for the
company. It also provided a useful service for the community. It led to some good publicity for our
organisation too.

b) The project was a great success. Not only did all the participants enjoy it but it also provided a
useful service for the community. As far as our company is concerned, it both supplied some
income and led to some good publicity as well.

2- a) There were, however, one or two minor problems. Just over half of the participants expressed
some dissatisfaction with the catering; the meals were too small and lacked variety. As many as
sixty-five per cent of participants were unhappy with the accommodation provided, the main
complaint being that they did not like having to share a room with two or three other people. We
would strongly recommend that improvements be made with regard to both catering and
accommodation in future years.

b) There were, however, one or two minor problems. Many of the participants expressed some
dissatisfaction with the catering and even more of them were unhappy with the accommodation
provided. We would strongly recommend that improvements be made with regard to both these
areas in future years.

3- a) Most of the participants were good at the tasks they had to do. Some were particularly good at
dealing with people while others were better at administrative or technical tasks. It would be good
if, in future, we could carry out some kind of pre-project assessment so that we get a good idea in
advance of where individuals' strengths lie. This would help us to get the best use from the time
available.
b) Most of the participants were good at the tasks they were required to do. Some were particularly
skilled at dealing with people while others excelled at administrative or technical tasks. It would be
advantageous if, in future, we could carry out some kind of pre-project assessment so that we are
aware in advance of where individuals' strengths lie. This would help us to make the most effective
use of the time available.
4- a)

b)

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